130127-N-YQ852-055 KHALIFA PORT, Abu Dhabi (Jan. 27, 2013) – Cmdr. Tate Robinson, commanding officer of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), speaks to guest during a reception on the flight deck. Rushmore pulled into the Khalifa Port on Jan. 26, making it the second United States ship to call on the port since it official opening on Dec. 12, 2012. Rushmore is a part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shawnte Bryan/Released)

KHALIFA PORT, Abu Dhabi - The U.S. Embassy to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hosted a reception for senior UAE officials, business leaders, members of the press, and members of the diplomatic corps aboard USS Rushmore (LSD 47), Jan. 27.

The San Diego based Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship arrived at Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Port on Jan. 26, making the United States ship the second to call on the port since its official opening on Dec. 12, 2012.

The Michael H. Corbin, the U.S. Ambassador to UAE, called the inauguration of the port and Rushmore’s visit a historic moment.

“I look forward to having U.S. ships visit the port on a regular basis,” said Corbin. “The use of the Khalifa Port for our naval vessels is yet another symbol of the strong bilateral relationship that the United States shares with the United Arab Emirates.”

During the reception, Cmdr. Tate Robinson, Commanding Officer of Rushmore, expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome to the newest United Arab Emirates port.

“It is an honor to be able to showcase the U.S Navy and to highlight our partnership with the U.A.E.,” said Robinson.

Also during the reception Robinson shared Rushmore’s history and ship capabilities and offered tours of the ship to guests.

Managed by Abu Dhabi Ports Company, the new Khalifa Port is the first semi-automated container terminal in the region and is a key part of the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) megaproject. Through phased development, the port is designed to grow to a capacity of 15 million containers of traffic and 35 million tons of general cargo by 2030.

Rushmore is a part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and is currently deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense, or the United States Department of the Navy of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD web site.